Off campus housing costs vs dorm costs

jrpar
Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:57:37 +0000

My son lived on campus the first two years, and then off campus junior and senior years. Off campus is considerably cheaper all-in. He lives in a house with a number of other students, each has their own bedroom, and the rent is around $700- $750 including all utilities (cable too). Having to pay for the room over the summer was not great the first year - but even paying those two months the cost was cheaper for the year. The next summer my son worked in Chicago for the summer, so not an issue. Not paying for the meal plan was a large part of the savings - I think the NU meal plans are expensive. He liked his dorm experience but I think strongly prefers living off campus - his house is like a small dorm with his best friends, just a block from campus.